Don't call it a comeback for Rockies' Oswalt

Pitcher's only goal is to help win West

DENVER -- Roy Oswalt doesn't care one lick about being the next feel-good, comeback story.

The 35-year-old right-hander simply wants to take the mound, glower at hitters, unleash his still-potent fastball and help the Rockies win the National League West.

"I honestly think we can do it," Oswalt said. "This team has more than enough talent. I mean, look at this lineup. It's one of the reasons I came to Colorado."

Tonight, Oswalt will pitch at Coors Field for the first time wearing a Rockies uniform. He'll face a resurgent Dodgers team that is 8-2 in its past 10 games and back in the race in the wide-open NL West. The Dodgers start lefty Clayton Kershaw, a two-time All-Star, the 2011 National League Cy Young Award winner and current owner of a 2.08 ERA.

On paper, it's a mismatch, especially considering the early returns on Oswalt's comeback. After two starts -- one in Washington, one in Boston -- Oswalt is 0-2 and has allowed nine earned runs and 18 hits over 11innings. That adds up to a 7.36 ERA, leading skeptics to ask if Oswalt truly is an upgrade over veterans Jon Garland and Jeff Francis, both of whom have been banished from the rotation.

There is no such skepticism coming from Rockies manager Walt Weiss. Rather, he speaks like a true believer.

"I think there is a lot left there," Weiss said. "I think he's pitched a lot better than his lines have shown. I think he's going to help us here in the second half, I really do. The velocity is good and the action on his pitches is still good.

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In his Rockies debut, Oswalt struck out 11 in five innings, and while his fastball hit 94 mph, his secondary stuff looked rusty as he gave up four runs in a 5-1 loss at Washington. In Boston, Oswalt got roughed up early, but settled in as the game went on, ultimately allowing five runs on nine hits in six innings.

"Overall, I feel really good and my mechanics are good," he said. "I've had a couple of bad innings, maybe a little bad luck, but that's part of the game. But I think I'm in a good place and I feel like my fastball velocity is the same as it's always been."

The back of Oswalt's baseball card glitters: six top-six finishes in Cy Young Award voting, three All-Star Game appearances and playoff experience in 2004, 2005, 2010 and 2011 while playing for the Astros (2001-10) and the Phillies (2010-11). His career record is 163-98 with a 3.30 ERA. Impressive stuff, but it won't mean much to Rockies fans if he can't produce this season.

And there remains the shadow of last summer's unpleasant experience with the Texas Rangers. After weighing his options, he signed with the Rangers, making an impressive debut against the Rockies on June 22 in Arlington, going 6-plus innings and allowing one run on nine hits in a 9-1 victory.

But then things got bumpy and he was eventually sent to the bullpen. He finished with a 4-3 record and a 5.80 ERA in 17 games, included nine starts.

"Let's just say Texas wasn't a good fit," said Oswalt, who is being paid based on a prorated salary of $2.3 million. His deal includes a $400,000 roster bonus and incentives based on his number of starts (with a maximum of $1.35 million) and innings pitched ($1.25 million maximum).

Oswalt considers this season a fresh start, rather than a comeback.

"Even last year, I knew I could still pitch," he said. "I wouldn't have joined the Rockies if I didn't honestly believe that."

If Oswalt is going to help the Rockies stay in the division race, he'll have to thrive at the hitter's paradise known as Coors Field. As a visiting pitcher, he was an impressive 4-0 with a 2.25 ERA in five regular-season starts.

"I don't pay that much attention to the ballpark," he said "I know the ball flies here. But I think if I pitch inside I can be effective. I know this is a big ballpark with a lot of outfield. And sure, the ball flies, but it's changed since they brought in the humidor.

"And in Houston, the ball flew out of the park. Same thing in Philadelphia. I've always said, if you make quality pitches, you're going to get outs. If you don't, you get hit. It's pretty simple."

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